After various months of evaluating, I have decided that I will get a Digital Piano instead. However, I still hope to own a grand one day. Main reason for going towards the Digital Piano route is because I stay in a HDB, I don't have a sound proof room, I can only practice at night during weekdays after work, and I don't want to disturb my hubby when he is reading his books, and disturb my neighbours. Imagine me playing and replaying the same song, part of the song, practising the scales & apreggios 4 - 5 hrs a day. Well, I think I should not disturb the peace and quiet.
Moreover, I intend to pass down this piano to my kids when they are at their learning age. Imagine one kid playing on the piano and the other trying to study. And imagine one kid practice after another, and then my turn. While, others just need some rest, some peace to study or read books.
Also, the lighter weight of the digital piano also makes moving the piano easier. As kids grow up, furnitures will need to shift/re-arrange to accomodate for each other and to create more space and so on. Moving an acoustic piano is difficult coz it is heavy, and because it is also important to choose where to place the piano. But I can put the digital piano anywhere.
However, I still hope to own a grand piano one day where we can play on it when we have mastered a song using the digital piano, to learn the techniques that only acoustic pianos have.
As for the digital piano which I am interested are the Yamaha Clavinova series. Because it looks nicer, with a cabinet and a chair that comes with it. Also, it is suppose to have the better actions which imitate that of a grand piano. And I wanted something that is not too expensive, so I am considering either CLP320 and CLP330. The main difference between the 2 models are that the CLP320 is using GH (Graded Hammer) and CLP330 is using GH3 technology. I tried both digital pianos. Actually I cannot feel the difference. But of coz CLP330 looks nicer, with more buttons, and suppose to have better technology that resembles a grand piano. But is like $500 more expensive. Is it worth it?
The difference between the 2 technology are given below.
http://music.yamaha.com/products/highlights/keyboardsAST/8.html
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Music Composition Book
Recently, I bought a new book from Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City:
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition (The Complete Idiot's Guide)"
by Michael Miller
I feel that the book is very good. It helps me to understand how to apply the Music Theory which I have learnt. But it assumes that you already know your music theory, so it does not cover them, but rather explain how these theories are applied to music composition. It even introduce different musical instruments and explains how to combine them to form an orchestra. I suppose when you can successfully compose a piece (classical or pop song), you would have master a certain degree of music theory.
Keep the creativity flowing...
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition (The Complete Idiot's Guide)"
by Michael Miller
I feel that the book is very good. It helps me to understand how to apply the Music Theory which I have learnt. But it assumes that you already know your music theory, so it does not cover them, but rather explain how these theories are applied to music composition. It even introduce different musical instruments and explains how to combine them to form an orchestra. I suppose when you can successfully compose a piece (classical or pop song), you would have master a certain degree of music theory.
Keep the creativity flowing...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Piano Shopping Experience
Piano Master (@ Geylang East)
Piano Master gives me a very home feeling. The sales person was very nice, I can feel free to play on the pianos (uprights and grands) to compare the different pianos together. I feel very comfortable there, and had the chance to listen to the salesperson share her perspectives on choosing a piano. I played a few Chinese pop songs on the different pianos, and I like 2 pianos. Both are Hailun. The 125cm upright and the grand (I think is the 161). Both have a very thick and sweet sound. Both pianos should be able to last till my kids reach Grade 8 (if they ever reach that standard). The upright is S$3,600 which I think it is affordable. And the grand was around S$10,000 (I forgot the exact price), but is definitely out of my reach. Hence the Hailun upright is shortlisted.
Yamaha (@ Thomson Plaza and @ Plaza Singapura)
I tried the Yamaha CLP320, CLP330 and the digital grand piano series. They feel quite real. But generally I feel that digital pianos have their keys quite bouncy. But something that I don't like about CLP320 is that I cannot control the metronome other than the + and - buttons. For S$1,800, it has limited functions even though it has 3 levels of sampling. However CLP330 has better functions, but S$500 more expensive, which is quite significant. As for the digital grand pianos, the sound was very sweet. I liked the sound a lot. But they are over S$10,000, and I still feel that Yamaha digital pianos are too expensive.
I get the chance to try the Silent Pianos as well. I tried the U1. Yes, the sound is very sweet and the touch is very nice. But a silent one is S$9,000. So expensive! But since everyone likes to compare their pianos with U1 (which is suppose to be the standard pianos usually like to compare with). I looked at the hammers, very nice, but not very straight though. But clean and good.
Too bad, their grand pianos are in another glass room, which I need to ask the salesperson if I wish to try the pianos. Haha. I am not a very good pianist, so shy to request. Anyway, I don't have the intention to buy.
Luther Music (@ Excelsior Shopping Centre)
Luther Music is a shop that sells guitars and digital pianos. I tried Korg SP250, same thing, I feel that the keys were bouncy. However, it has more function buttons than the Yamaha CLP320, and it is at S$970. So much cheaper than Yamaha CLP320. But of coz, it does not come with the casing, and the salesperson told me that Korg SP250 only has 2 level sampling. I also tried the Yamaha P85 and P140. I thought P140 is good. The salesperson told me that Yamaha P140 is made in Japan, but all CLP series are made in Indonesia. And P140 is about S$1,800 as well, with more function buttons than CLP320, but also without casing. I also tried Casio digital pianos. Same thing, the keys are very bouncy. In fact, the feel is similar to the Korg one. And Casio are slightly more expensive, so I am not interested. I also forgot which Casio models I tried. But I can't find any other that is cheaper than Korg SP250. So I didn't look further.
But this shop is good in the sense that if you have a particular digital piano model in mind, eben when they do not have it available for you to try, you can ask them about their prices, I feel that the prices are generally cheaper and they can help you order, and deliver to your house.
Carrerfour (@ Plaza Singapura)
For those who are interested in Casio digital pianos, you should be able to find a few more models in Carrerfour. You can sit there and keep playing, no salesperson will come and bother you. I saw an uncle happily sitting there and played for as long as I was there trying out the different models. But no one came and disturb us. I think we were there for an hour or so.
Cristofori (@Bedok)
I tried a few pianos at Cristofori. Personally, don't quite like the feeling, coz the salesperson is using hard selling. Maybe I have the very naive look.
That aside, I tried their Cristofori pianos. For a 121cm, it was $4k+. The salesperson says it is the same as Yamaha U1, at half the price of Yamaha U1. Cristofori is a stencil brand. I am not sure what is the original brand. When I tried, I would the piano is ok, nothing fantastic, but a decent piano, with quite a sweet sound. But I still like Hailun pianos better. Moreover, Cristofori is more expensive. I tried Samick and Pearl River. Both less than 121cm (can't remember the height). Samick is about $4k and Pearl River is about $3.2k (cheaper than Hailun). Samick is also ok, but I don't quite like it's appearance, trying to be too contemporary and I still prefer Hailun's sound at a cheaper price. As for Pearl River, I heard very bad comments about it. But is not as bad as I expected. It has a very bright sound. I prefer a more thick chocolate kind of sound. And it is too short. For the same height, I can get a Hailun at 2k+. So no point considering further.
Verdict
1. Grand Piano:
Too expensive. Out!
2. Upright Piano:
Hailun 125cm S$3,600 (can bargain somemore, can consider)
Hailun 120cm S$2,899 (haven't tried, but if sounds good and can bargain, can consider)
3. Digital Piano:
Korg SP250 $970 (To enable me to practice at night, but is it necessary? Can consider.)
Piano Master gives me a very home feeling. The sales person was very nice, I can feel free to play on the pianos (uprights and grands) to compare the different pianos together. I feel very comfortable there, and had the chance to listen to the salesperson share her perspectives on choosing a piano. I played a few Chinese pop songs on the different pianos, and I like 2 pianos. Both are Hailun. The 125cm upright and the grand (I think is the 161). Both have a very thick and sweet sound. Both pianos should be able to last till my kids reach Grade 8 (if they ever reach that standard). The upright is S$3,600 which I think it is affordable. And the grand was around S$10,000 (I forgot the exact price), but is definitely out of my reach. Hence the Hailun upright is shortlisted.
Yamaha (@ Thomson Plaza and @ Plaza Singapura)
I tried the Yamaha CLP320, CLP330 and the digital grand piano series. They feel quite real. But generally I feel that digital pianos have their keys quite bouncy. But something that I don't like about CLP320 is that I cannot control the metronome other than the + and - buttons. For S$1,800, it has limited functions even though it has 3 levels of sampling. However CLP330 has better functions, but S$500 more expensive, which is quite significant. As for the digital grand pianos, the sound was very sweet. I liked the sound a lot. But they are over S$10,000, and I still feel that Yamaha digital pianos are too expensive.
I get the chance to try the Silent Pianos as well. I tried the U1. Yes, the sound is very sweet and the touch is very nice. But a silent one is S$9,000. So expensive! But since everyone likes to compare their pianos with U1 (which is suppose to be the standard pianos usually like to compare with). I looked at the hammers, very nice, but not very straight though. But clean and good.
Too bad, their grand pianos are in another glass room, which I need to ask the salesperson if I wish to try the pianos. Haha. I am not a very good pianist, so shy to request. Anyway, I don't have the intention to buy.
Luther Music (@ Excelsior Shopping Centre)
Luther Music is a shop that sells guitars and digital pianos. I tried Korg SP250, same thing, I feel that the keys were bouncy. However, it has more function buttons than the Yamaha CLP320, and it is at S$970. So much cheaper than Yamaha CLP320. But of coz, it does not come with the casing, and the salesperson told me that Korg SP250 only has 2 level sampling. I also tried the Yamaha P85 and P140. I thought P140 is good. The salesperson told me that Yamaha P140 is made in Japan, but all CLP series are made in Indonesia. And P140 is about S$1,800 as well, with more function buttons than CLP320, but also without casing. I also tried Casio digital pianos. Same thing, the keys are very bouncy. In fact, the feel is similar to the Korg one. And Casio are slightly more expensive, so I am not interested. I also forgot which Casio models I tried. But I can't find any other that is cheaper than Korg SP250. So I didn't look further.
But this shop is good in the sense that if you have a particular digital piano model in mind, eben when they do not have it available for you to try, you can ask them about their prices, I feel that the prices are generally cheaper and they can help you order, and deliver to your house.
Carrerfour (@ Plaza Singapura)
For those who are interested in Casio digital pianos, you should be able to find a few more models in Carrerfour. You can sit there and keep playing, no salesperson will come and bother you. I saw an uncle happily sitting there and played for as long as I was there trying out the different models. But no one came and disturb us. I think we were there for an hour or so.
Cristofori (@Bedok)
I tried a few pianos at Cristofori. Personally, don't quite like the feeling, coz the salesperson is using hard selling. Maybe I have the very naive look.
That aside, I tried their Cristofori pianos. For a 121cm, it was $4k+. The salesperson says it is the same as Yamaha U1, at half the price of Yamaha U1. Cristofori is a stencil brand. I am not sure what is the original brand. When I tried, I would the piano is ok, nothing fantastic, but a decent piano, with quite a sweet sound. But I still like Hailun pianos better. Moreover, Cristofori is more expensive. I tried Samick and Pearl River. Both less than 121cm (can't remember the height). Samick is about $4k and Pearl River is about $3.2k (cheaper than Hailun). Samick is also ok, but I don't quite like it's appearance, trying to be too contemporary and I still prefer Hailun's sound at a cheaper price. As for Pearl River, I heard very bad comments about it. But is not as bad as I expected. It has a very bright sound. I prefer a more thick chocolate kind of sound. And it is too short. For the same height, I can get a Hailun at 2k+. So no point considering further.
Verdict
1. Grand Piano:
Too expensive. Out!
2. Upright Piano:
Hailun 125cm S$3,600 (can bargain somemore, can consider)
Hailun 120cm S$2,899 (haven't tried, but if sounds good and can bargain, can consider)
3. Digital Piano:
Korg SP250 $970 (To enable me to practice at night, but is it necessary? Can consider.)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Suzuki Method for Young Children
The information below is what I have derived based on the information which I can find about the "Suzuki Method" which is a method that is used to expose a young children to music, and developing the talent in each child. This method is "invented" by Suzuki based on his observation on how young children learn their mother tongue. And using the same concept, the "Suzuki method" has been developed.
Many young children now are using the "Suzuki method" to expose them to music. This method is used for children who are below 5 years old, when their attention span is still very short, and it is almost impossible to make the young child sit beside the piano for anything more than 15 mins. Older kids (those who are above 5 years old) will usually start to use the traditional method (which is reading scores) to learn an instrument when their attention span is substantially longer.
My personal view is that we can always expose a young child to music through the "Suzuki method" from 3 or 4 years old until they are 6 years old, before moving them to the traditional method, where it will involve taking the graded exams, reading scores and writing scores.
Suzuki Method works on the fact that children learns through copying the actions of the adults, listening and repetition. Hence, the focus is on playing the music which the children are always hearing, play music by ear, let the child learn how to play an instrument by showing how the adult does it. This is the same way how a child learn to walk and talk before able to read and write.
When a child learns to speak, the following factors are at work:
# Listening
# Motivation
# Repetition
# Step-by-step mastery
# Memory
# Vocabulary
# Parental Involvement
# Love
=> http://www.suzukimusic.org.au/suzuki.htm
Many young children now are using the "Suzuki method" to expose them to music. This method is used for children who are below 5 years old, when their attention span is still very short, and it is almost impossible to make the young child sit beside the piano for anything more than 15 mins. Older kids (those who are above 5 years old) will usually start to use the traditional method (which is reading scores) to learn an instrument when their attention span is substantially longer.
My personal view is that we can always expose a young child to music through the "Suzuki method" from 3 or 4 years old until they are 6 years old, before moving them to the traditional method, where it will involve taking the graded exams, reading scores and writing scores.
Suzuki Method works on the fact that children learns through copying the actions of the adults, listening and repetition. Hence, the focus is on playing the music which the children are always hearing, play music by ear, let the child learn how to play an instrument by showing how the adult does it. This is the same way how a child learn to walk and talk before able to read and write.
When a child learns to speak, the following factors are at work:
# Listening
# Motivation
# Repetition
# Step-by-step mastery
# Memory
# Vocabulary
# Parental Involvement
# Love
=> http://www.suzukimusic.org.au/suzuki.htm
Encourage the child to keep perfecting the song with emotion and expression, and after they have mastered a piece, slowly move on to another one by one. The main thing is to ensure that the learning is fun.
Although there is no statistics to show that children who underwent the "Suzuki method" will turn out to be musicians when they grow up, but they will typically be able to appreciate and music when they grow up even if it means playing for leisure only.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Major Scales
Major Scales (12 of them altogether)
C Major: no flats no sharps
G Major: 1 sharp (F#)
D Major: 2 sharps (F#, C#)
A Major: 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)
E Major: 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#) = 8 flats
B Major: 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#) = 7 flats
Gb Major: 6 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb) = 6 sharps
Db Major: 5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) = 7 sharps
Ab Major: 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db) = 8 sharps
Eb Major: 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)
Bb Major: 2 flats (Bb, Eb)
F Major: 1 flat (Bb)
Note: All major scales has the pattern of TTSTTTS
Please practice the scales with both hands. This is useful to train the flexibility, strength and fingerings. Try to repeat the scales in pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff (which are of different loudness). Also, play the scales like you are playing a phrase. In a legato method.
Moving up with more and more # keys
To move from C major (no # & b) to G major (F#), it is moving 7 semitones up, or 5 steps up (like C D E F G) along the scale.
Similarly to move from G major (F#) to D major (F# C#), it is moving 7 semitones up, or 5 steps up (like G, A, B, C, D)
Similarly to move from D major (F# C#) to A major (F# C# G#), it is moving 7 semitones up, or 5 steps up (like D, E, F#, G, A)
Similarly to move from A major (F# C# G#) to E major (F# C# G# D#), it is moving 7 semitones up, or 5 steps up (like A, B, C#, D, E)
and so on...
Moving down with more and more b keys
To move from C major (no # & b) to F major (Bb) it is moving 7 semitones down, or 5 steps down (like C B A G F) along the scale.
Similarly to move from F major (Bb) to Bb major (Bb Eb) it is moving 7 semitones down, or 5 steps down (like F E D C Bb) along the scale.
Similarly to move from Bb major (Bb Eb) to Eb major (Bb Eb Ab) it is moving 7 semitones down, or 5 steps down (like Bb A G F Eb) along the scale.
and so on...
C Major: no flats no sharps
G Major: 1 sharp (F#)
D Major: 2 sharps (F#, C#)
A Major: 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)
E Major: 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#) = 8 flats
B Major: 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#) = 7 flats
Gb Major: 6 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb) = 6 sharps
Db Major: 5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) = 7 sharps
Ab Major: 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db) = 8 sharps
Eb Major: 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)
Bb Major: 2 flats (Bb, Eb)
F Major: 1 flat (Bb)
Note: All major scales has the pattern of TTSTTTS
Please practice the scales with both hands. This is useful to train the flexibility, strength and fingerings. Try to repeat the scales in pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff (which are of different loudness). Also, play the scales like you are playing a phrase. In a legato method.
Moving up with more and more # keys
To move from C major (no # & b) to G major (F#), it is moving 7 semitones up, or 5 steps up (like C D E F G) along the scale.
Similarly to move from G major (F#) to D major (F# C#), it is moving 7 semitones up, or 5 steps up (like G, A, B, C, D)
Similarly to move from D major (F# C#) to A major (F# C# G#), it is moving 7 semitones up, or 5 steps up (like D, E, F#, G, A)
Similarly to move from A major (F# C# G#) to E major (F# C# G# D#), it is moving 7 semitones up, or 5 steps up (like A, B, C#, D, E)
and so on...
Moving down with more and more b keys
To move from C major (no # & b) to F major (Bb) it is moving 7 semitones down, or 5 steps down (like C B A G F) along the scale.
Similarly to move from F major (Bb) to Bb major (Bb Eb) it is moving 7 semitones down, or 5 steps down (like F E D C Bb) along the scale.
Similarly to move from Bb major (Bb Eb) to Eb major (Bb Eb Ab) it is moving 7 semitones down, or 5 steps down (like Bb A G F Eb) along the scale.
and so on...
Sunday, September 7, 2008
My Views on Piano Learning
Many parents in Singapore wanted their kids to learn a lot of things, hoping that they will develop all rounded skills. And learning piano is a common thing that almost all parents who can afford this "luxury" will want their kids learn the piano. Sometimes, this is also due to peer pressure and comparison, like if who and who is learning, and by not wanting to lose to whose and whose kid, I want my child to learn as well. And there will be endless pressure on the kids to clear the piano exams as young as they can, with the highest marks possible. As there will always be comparison with their cousins, sibling and friends on who is doing better than who. Hence, some children who learn piano are very exam focussed, and they will practice the exam pieces over and over again, doing just want is needed to clear the exams. And finally when they have met the expectations of their parents of completing Grade 8 exams (for example), some will just stop playing the piano completely. Which saddens me a lot. And at the end of it, so what if you have attained the Grade 8 qualifications?
In Singapore, what are the jobs that piano playing can go into? I think most people will go into piano teaching, some might go into selling pianos, some might go into becoming a piano technicians, some who are able to compose songs may turn famous on their works, some better ones might become part of the concert team to perform internationally, and some might work in hotels to play the pianos. So come to think of it, there is opportunities for people who are musically inclined and want to pursue this area of interest. No longer like in the past, where learning music is considered as useless. As more and more Singaporeans starts to learn piano, the market is created for more musicians to be groomed and developed.
However, I feel that piano learning should be based on interest. While it is good to expose to the children to music, but there are some who are just not as musically inclined, so they hate going to piano lessons. I think under this kind of situations, we should not force the child too much. In fact, I realised that finding a piano teacher who can connect with the kid is very important, to ensure that the teacher can help to keep the child's interest in music. So it is important to find a teacher who is good (with sufficient qualifications) and have a flair for teaching. It is essential for kids to build a strong music foundation and listening skills in order to excel in this field. Sometimes, I also feel that it might be beneficial to change teachers at different point of their piano learning journey as different teachers may have ways of explaining the same thing, which can help the child to understand and derive their own ways of understanding it.
Also, I feel that we should not put too much pressure on the child when he/she is young to do the graded exams, which might kill their interest totally. Instead, work on building their skills, their music theory and interests are more important, and when they are older, slowly exposing them to exams when they are ready. At the end of it, music should be something which you enjoy and appreciates and not a paperchase kind of qualifications. I guessed all of us are already doing paperchase academically, so why add another one to it?
In Singapore, what are the jobs that piano playing can go into? I think most people will go into piano teaching, some might go into selling pianos, some might go into becoming a piano technicians, some who are able to compose songs may turn famous on their works, some better ones might become part of the concert team to perform internationally, and some might work in hotels to play the pianos. So come to think of it, there is opportunities for people who are musically inclined and want to pursue this area of interest. No longer like in the past, where learning music is considered as useless. As more and more Singaporeans starts to learn piano, the market is created for more musicians to be groomed and developed.
However, I feel that piano learning should be based on interest. While it is good to expose to the children to music, but there are some who are just not as musically inclined, so they hate going to piano lessons. I think under this kind of situations, we should not force the child too much. In fact, I realised that finding a piano teacher who can connect with the kid is very important, to ensure that the teacher can help to keep the child's interest in music. So it is important to find a teacher who is good (with sufficient qualifications) and have a flair for teaching. It is essential for kids to build a strong music foundation and listening skills in order to excel in this field. Sometimes, I also feel that it might be beneficial to change teachers at different point of their piano learning journey as different teachers may have ways of explaining the same thing, which can help the child to understand and derive their own ways of understanding it.
Also, I feel that we should not put too much pressure on the child when he/she is young to do the graded exams, which might kill their interest totally. Instead, work on building their skills, their music theory and interests are more important, and when they are older, slowly exposing them to exams when they are ready. At the end of it, music should be something which you enjoy and appreciates and not a paperchase kind of qualifications. I guessed all of us are already doing paperchase academically, so why add another one to it?
Friday, September 5, 2008
Things to ask for when buying pianos
These are the list of things which you can effectively ask for when you shop for pianos, when bargaining for the lower price or some throw in:-
1. Heater rod
2. Adjustable seat with storage
3. Pedal socks (3)
4. Piano cover
5. Cleaning liquid for wood finish and keys
6. Cleaning cloth
7. Guarantee (parts and labour) for 10 years and more ?
8. Buy back opportunity?
9. Pay by installments?
10. Free 2 years tunings (default is 1 year 2 times)
1. Heater rod
2. Adjustable seat with storage
3. Pedal socks (3)
4. Piano cover
5. Cleaning liquid for wood finish and keys
6. Cleaning cloth
7. Guarantee (parts and labour) for 10 years and more ?
8. Buy back opportunity?
9. Pay by installments?
10. Free 2 years tunings (default is 1 year 2 times)
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